Late SC Highway Patrol officer remembered with gift of police dog

Monday

Mar 25, 2013 at 7:29 PM

Lee O'Dell said his late stepbrother, S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. David Bailey, is remembered for his gift of story telling.

By Jenny Arnoldjennifer.arnold@shj.com

Lee O'Dell said his late stepbrother, S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. David Bailey, is remembered for his gift of story telling.O'Dell spoke of Bailey Monday before an audience of sheriff's deputies, state troopers, friends and family during a dedication ceremony for the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office's newest K9, Bailey. The ceremony was originally to be held at the sheriff's office, but because so many people wanted to attend, it was moved to the event center at Cleveland Park.David Bailey, 27, was killed in the line of duty on April 5, 2000, on Interstate highway 85 in Greenville County. In his honor, family and friends created the David Bailey Memorial K-9 Fund, which raises money to buy and train canines for law enforcement agencies. The new dog, Bailey, will be handled by Deputy Michael Turner.O'Dell shared some stories of his own about David Bailey. Though stepbrothers, O'Dell and Bailey were close, being only a year apart and ages 3 and 4 when O'Dell's father married Bailey's mother. They imagined themselves as law enforcement officers when they were young.“We were on the California Highway Patrol,” said O'Dell, referencing the hit TV show, “CHiPs.” “We just patrolled the streets of Greer, down Grand Teton Drive, keeping the streets safe from the other kids.”Later, when Bailey became a real state trooper, his family couldn't have been more proud.“He was living his dream,” O'Dell said. “He was impacting lives every day.”O'Dell said he'd never forget that phone call that April day. His sister called to tell him Bailey had crashed his patrol car into a tree and died.“But I don't believe for one second that was the end of David's story,” O'Dell said. “His story continues on.”With K9 Bailey, O'Dell told Turner that they may help people get their own stories on the right track and carry on his brother's legacy.

Bailey's mother, Fran O'Dell, thanked many for their support following her son's death, and for their donations to the K9 fund. That extended family includes state troopers like Col. Mike Oliver, who attended Monday's ceremony.“It means so much that you honored our son and remembered our sacrifice,” she said.Oliver said it's always amazing to see the families of fallen troopers come together and create success stories like the K9 fund out of tragedy.“It's a great day in South Carolina today,” Oliver said. “(Bailey) is a part of our history. We certainly appreciate him and his service. He will never be forgotten.”It was quiet as Bailey the K9 made his way to the front of the audience with Deputy Turner. Bailey, a Belgian malinois, wagged his tail, eagerly greeted other officers and seemed to almost smile at the audience.Turner said he would strive to make sure that he and his dog were the best K9 team they could be.“The citizens of South Carolina deserve it, and most of all, David's family deserves it,” Turner said.The current cost to buy and train a police dog is $12,000. K9 Bailey is 18 months old, and Turner has been training with the dog for five weeks. They have been working together as part of the sheriff's office's Interstate Criminal Enforcement team.Sheriff Chuck Wright thanked David Bailey's family for their donation.“I never knew him, but he was my brother — he wore the badge,” Wright said. “I don't want his life to be defined by tragedy. Thank you for this wonderful gift you have given us and the citizens, with this dog.”

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